Japanese luxury sleeper train trip a mere $10,000 — one way

Yahoo News Photo Staff7 May 2017

A Japanese railway company has launched a new luxury sleeper train with sky views, bathtubs and dark wood interiors, joining the race for well-heeled tourists.

The top suite on the 10-car Train Suite Shiki-shima goes for $10,000 per person for a four-day trip from Tokyo to Hokkaido, East Japan Railway Co. said, including sea transfers to the island of Hokkaido.

The train, which left with 33 passengers on its maiden voyage from Tokyo, features traditional tatami rice straw mats and bathtubs made from Hinoki cypress wood in its executive suites.

Glass ceilings and walls are built into two observatory coaches at the front and rear of the train for the passengers to watch the scenery.

The journey includes stops in the northeast Tohoku region, which was hit by the 2011 earthquake and tsunami.

“We also want to empower the disaster-hit northern Japan for their recovery effort through the operation of Shiki-shima,” East Japan Railway Chief Executive Tetsuro Tomita said at the launch.

A crew member presents the dining car on East Japan Railway’s Train Suite Shiki-shima during a press preview in Tokyo. The10-car, luxury sleeper train includes a lounge and dining car as well as two observatory cars. (Photo: STR/AFP/Getty Images)

Crew member shows lounge car

A crew member shows the lounge car aboard the Train Suite Shiki-shima during a press preview in Tokyo. (Photo: STR/AFP/Getty Images)

Open doors at train entry

One of the entrances to the Train Suite Shiki-shima. (Photo: STR/AFP/Getty Images)

A suite room — one of 17 aboard the Shiki-shima. (Photo: STR/AFP/Getty Images)

Observation deck

A crew members shows one of the train’s observation decks. (Photo: The Asahi Shimbun via Getty Images)

Piano player in lounge car

Guests aboard the Shiki-shima will be entertained by a piano player in the lounge car. (Photo: STR/AFP/Getty Images)

Crew member in Shiki-shima Suite

A crew member kneels beside the dining set inside the Shiki-shima Suite, the top accomodation on the train, which comes at a cost of $10,000 per person for a four-day trip from Tokyo to Hokkaido. (Photo: STR/AFP/Getty Images)